*Penguins Center Evgeni Malkin skated in the gameday skate with Steve Sullivan and James Neal this morning. He is a game time decision.*Goalie, Islander 4 Life, and Erstwhile Punching Bag Rick DiPietro will be on the bench for the Islanders. He has been out since taking a puck to the face. Or slipping on a banana peel or something.*Pens Winger James Neal is second in the league in goals, behind Toronto's Phil Kessel.*Center John Tavares is 6-4-10, leading the Isles in goals and points.

QUOTABLE

"I just like to have a secret over you guys for the next six hours or so." - Head Coach Dan Bylsma on why Malkin is a Game Time Decision

“I think every time we play Pittsburgh it’s a big game. It’s a division game. At this day and age every game is a rivalry, you have to get two points no matter how, no matter what.” - Islanders forward PA Parenteau

"His work ethic – his teams play hard. They play the right way. They spend a lot of time in the offensive zone, for sure. Penalty killing is one thing I spent some time with him on here. He’s done a great job there and he deserves all of the credit that he’s gotten." - Islanders Head Coach Jack Capuano on former Islanders co-assistant Dan Bylsma

LAST MEETING

The Penguins won, 4-3 in a shootout. Chris Kunitz potted the only goal in the shootout.

INJURIES

Sidney Crosby and Tyler Kennedy are out with concussions.Zbynek Michalek is out with a broken hand.Brian Strait is out with an elbow injury.For the Islanders, Milan Jurcina, Mark Katic, Rhett Rakhshani, and Nino Niederreiter are out.